Leilani Munter

Leilani Münter is a retired professional race car driver, environmental activist, and documentary filmmaker with a degree in biology from the University of California, San Diego. Named the #1 eco athlete in the world by Discovery’s Planet Green and awarded the Genius Award by ELLE Magazine, Münter is also recognized by Sports Illustrated as one of the top ten female race car drivers in the world. Dedicated to environmental advocacy, Münter is a prominent figure in various conservation efforts and has been a guest speaker at notable venues including The White House and the United Nations in Geneva.

Münter's racing career began in 2001, and she has competed in the NASCAR and Indy Lights Series, becoming the fourth woman in history to race in the latter. Throughout her career, which concluded with her final competition in February 2017 at the Daytona International Speedway, Münter has been committed to reducing her environmental impact. She has protected over 1500 acres of rainforest by adopting an acre for each race she participated in, and her race cars have prominently featured messages promoting renewable energy and wildlife conservation.

Beyond the racetrack, Münter is actively involved with several environmental organizations. She serves on the board of the Oceanic Preservation Society, featured in their Emmy-nominated film "Racing Extinction," and supports Empowered by Light and Population Matters. Additionally, she is an ambassador for Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project, advocating for the welfare of dolphins worldwide. Living by her motto "never underestimate a vegan hippie chick with a race car," Münter embraces a sustainable lifestyle, including a vegan diet, driving an electric car, and residing in a solar-powered home. These personal commitments underscore her public advocacy for environmental issues and animal rights, reinforcing her message on and off the racetrack.